Instructor: Dr. Eddie Hufft Office: Dumas 13
Phone: (601) 877-3937/6450, Lorman Office Hours: 1:00 - 2:00 PM, Tuesday & Thursday, Lorman
304-4388/4309, Natchez 3:30 - 4:00 PM 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Wednesday, Natchez
and by appointment
REQUIRED TEXT:
Robbins, S. P and Coulter, M. 2003.
Management (7th ed). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
RECOMMENDED READING:
To become knowledgeable about current issues, trends, and events in business, I recommend you subscribe to (or go to the library regularly) and read Fortune, The Wall Street Journal, Barron's, Business Week, INC., Nation's Business, etc. To better understand the concepts, I suggest you go to the library and review one or more of the suggested readings at the end of each chapter.
COURSE:
Welcome to MG 301/541. This course will provide you with a conceptual and empirical understanding of the principles of management.
METHODS:
The class format is primarily STUDENT discussion with an emphasis on participation in analysis of concepts. Team learning will be the primary mode of instruction in this course; you do the work. Multiple choice quizes will be given before I discuss any material on a given block of material, you will get the chance to show what you have learned as an individual and what you learn from sharing with a group. Keeping up with assigned work will prepare YOU to discuss class assignments. Your participation grade is YOUR preparedness for class and your participation in case analyses, problem exercises, and business plan critiques. Class participation will determine your final grade and is worth one letter grade up or down.
Each block of material will have group exercises for you to do in class. Your group will have to jot down, discuss with the class, and turn in your solution to the problems. Your notes should be short, handwritten, in list or outline form. Your work should answer the questions associated with the situation. Your notes should identify assumptions, develop and evaluate alternatives, prioritize alternatives, list and prioritize criteria as appropriate to the situation and questions.
GRADING:
Case Analysis 20%
Exams (2) 20%
Individual quizes (best 8 of 9) 20%
Group quizes (best 8 of 9) 20%
Class discussion & participation 20%
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100%
The instructor will strive to avoid "curving" grades. The final letter grade is on a ten-point scale (i.e. A: 90-100%).
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS:
Assignments are due on the day assigned at the end of the class period. Work turned in after the scheduled class period will be penalized two letter grades. They are eligible for a grade no higher than a C (and only if the work is otherwise an A or B+). No work accepted if submitted more than two class periods past the due date (except by prearranged consent of the instructor). NO work accepted after the final class December 11, 2002. NO make up exams given.
All written work will be typed and follow correct form, spelling, grammar, etc.
Papers which, in the opinion of the instructor, employ exceptionally poor grammar and poor quality written communication skills will be assigned a grade that is one letter lower than would otherwise be assigned. Written work will be graded on substance of arguments, form, organization of material, clarity, and readability. Developing an outline of the analysis before drafting the plan will enable you to organize the material and make it easy for the reader to follow. Use a writing style that is concise and easy to read. A strong thread of logic, adequate headings, good paragraphing, simple words, and avoidance of complex sentences (such as this one) make a plan readable.
Effective display and correct handling of mechanical details will add prestige and conviction to your plan. The following instructions will help you set up your work in an attractive, readable manner:
Reports should be typed on standard 8 1/2 x 11" unruled white paper of good quality. Dot matrix computer print is acceptable (must be dark print, use new ribbon or double strike).
Never crowd the bottom of the page. Always allow a margin of approximately seven to nine spaces on all four sides. Double space throughout. Use only one side of each sheet of paper.
Staple the sheets in the upper left-hand corner only. Do not fold the work when handing it in.
Policies Regarding Class Attendance and Participation in Class Discussion:
Attendance at all class sessions is expected.
Since participation in class discussion counts 20% of your grade, each student must contribute significantly to in-class critiques. Merely coming to class is not sufficient.